Happy Hallowe'en!

Trick or treat!

Welcome to Our Home

Here's the outside of our new place. We're the one on the end.

Living room...

Dining area...

So the verdict is in. We will be leaving Tuesday November 7th in the a.m.! Who's gonna be the first to visit?!?AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I'm leaving!

Slacker

Ok. So yes, I've neglected my poor little blog. The main reason is because Marc took the USB cable for our camera, along with the software and laptop... So there's nothing installed on our other computer. I solemly swear that I will post all my pics within the next two weeks! I have so much to write about, and pics to post! Here's the latest update from my end:

• We are officially moving to VA. We found a place to live in Gainesville, and its a whopping 3 minutes from the office! YEAH! No more traffic. Vegas is allowed to come with us to work too! We plan on walking to work. Imagine what we'll save on gas! There is also an old battlefield, where I plan on taking up horseback riding. Apparently its a pretty historical place. Maybe I shouldn't have slept through US History in College. You can bring your dog too. My last day at work is November 3, and I am here for most of the following week. I'll be gone by November 10th or 11th.
• Cari organized a going away party for me at her place this past Sat. Her place was decorated so nicely. We also went to Pub St-Paul, in the Old Port for some drinks afterward. There were so many awesome costumes! We had a great time!

To see lots of cool Hallowe'en pics...visit Cari & Steve's blog at:

http://www.thedickinsons.blogspot.com/

Tearing Up the Streets...well, the parking lot...:)

Has this been the best long weekend or what?!? The weather has been spectacular. Got a chance to kick back and relax... Today I spent the day with Vegas and Marc. Then it was off to a feast at my parents... I taught Vegas how to run beside the bike (regular bicycle) without getting run over.. AND it'll get Vegas worked out even faster! He liked it...We'll do it again tomorrow...My life just got so much easier!

Riding around on our bike...This puppy goes up to about 80/km an hour...

Don't we make a cute couple?

Michy & Tim's Wedding...

I arrived at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center for 7pm to help set up. It was pitch black, and I had to navigate my way through bumpy roads and around big rocks. It was exciting! I reached the Temple and met up with the members and friends from the Tree. The ceremony began at 8pm. Everyone made themselves comfortable on blankets surrounding the sacred circle.

Andrew setting the mood...

This is what was on the ground as we approached the temple. Hmmm... a pentagram, suspicious indeed...:)

Michy and Tim were filthy. They had to wash themselves before the ceremony...JK they were cleansing themselves...

Entering the sacred circle...Everyone who entered had to turn around and be blessed...

Michy passed out cake to those who attended...Another yummy treat...

Michy and Tim were wrapped in their wedding blanket. Gabriel was blessing and giving thanks to the spirits of the North, South, East & West. Everyone turned toward all directions.

Mich had to circle Tim seven times.

They both jumped over a fire, signifying jumping into a new beginning, the other side= marriage.

More blessings...

It was nice and intimate ceremony, they both looked truly happy. They said some vows, and also had their own personal vows, which we couldn't hear. They covered themselves in a blanket and whispered them to each other. People were allowed to enter the circle to offer their personal blessings as well. Many people said some very nice, heart felt things. Michy had requested for her family and friends to read a blessing. She asked me to read this one:

May the blessings of this union bring healing to those who are wounded, and joy to those who are broken hearted.

Congrats to you both!

Twilight Reception...

The reception was great. After the ceremony we headed back down the hill to the hall. There was great raw food and even a raw wedding cake, which was definetely better than traditional cakes.

Mich tossing her bouquet. Her mom caught it!


Tim getting the garter...

Michy & Tim's friends Philip and Susan put together gifts for everyone. There were hemp journals, natural soaps...

This cake was awesome...

The bride and groom...

Tout le gang...

Day 3 Nogales, Mexico

I still can't get over how easy it was to get across the border. We parked our car on the American side, and walked down a path. Then we walked through a revolving door and voila! We were in Mexico. On the way back there was a line, with 1 guy checking people's passports. No questions asked, eventhough border jumping is a huge problem. On the US side there are helicopters searching the desert for people.

Very reassuring...

They even offered to sell me this sign! They said," Do you like it?"

I said yes...

"I will give you special price."

No thank you, I can't bring that on the plane with me.

"So you sell it at the airport!"

Uh no, you can't solicit people like that...

"Oh you are not having a good day! Your bag, it looks empty!"

Man it was too much after awhile! They always had an answer!

Tin crafts...

Local art...

Cheap drugs...

Shops, shops, shops!...

Local cafe/tequila bar

Tequila was offered to you in almost all of the shops.

We spent about 2-3 hours in Nogales. It was fun and we were harassed a lot by the vendors. I bought a clay vase, and had fun bargaining with the guy. The vase was $25 and I left with it for $14. Michy's mom was a pro bargainer, she would walk out of the store and they would follow her out, practically giving it to her. It was a lot of fun at first but it got old fast. I had a mother and her three kids follow me up the street, offering me bracelets for a dollar. I said no thank you, and the little boy pointed to my half eaten apple! You should have seen his sad face, his mommy taught him well! So I dug through my bag, and gave him a muffin and some fruit for his two sisters. We got back to Patagonia at about 4pm to get ready for the ceremony...

Day 2 Michy's Luncheon

Michy and Tim invited the two families over for a raw lunch a their place. It was off the beaten path and we drove through two streams to get there.

Very exciting drive...

A few people chit chatting at Michy and Tim's lunch. Note the lady on the right is a psychic. She told me lots of interesting stuff about my wedding...

This was Michy's first time seeing her nephew Alex. Only 3 months old.

These yummy treats were seed crackers. Picture seeds held together by a mild spicey tomato sauce. Quite yummy indeed...

Raw pizza...Really good. The only real difference was the crust. It was like eating a chewy, moist cracker.

Hidden in the bottom right are dilled cucumbers...On the left were spiced nuts and of course olives...

Yummy spinach dip. Yes it was grown in the US, and yes it had samonela...

Check out the Tree's cafe at

http://www.treeoflife.nu/

Michy and Tim's pad. It had a really cool floor (literally) compacted dirt mixed with honeysuckle.

Day 2 Kartchner Caverns

We spent the morning at Kartchner Cavens. What an awesome experience.

It is one of the top ten caverns to visit in the world, and is very heavily protected. You weren't allowed to bring anything into the caves! The caverns were discovered by two cavers, and were kept a secret for many years.

Can you believe AZ isn't flat?!?

"Soda Straws" are water filled formations...
It was so quiet in there... You heard the occasional drop of water... We were only allowed to walk on a man made path. The cavern ground is all mud, and has the consistency of peanut butter. Every six months or so, park rangers inspect the caverns for changes...the "peanut butter" can be up to 9 ft. deep...
This sexy thing is called a Shasta ground sloth. 80,000 year old remains were found in the caverns.

Day 1 Tuscon/Patagonia, AZ

My flight went well. Man was it hot when I got there! I picked up my car and drove off into the desert. I was very surprised to see that Tuscan had tons of mountains and was pretty green...

There were plenty of these around!

There were two dogs that kept me company during my stay at the Enchanted Garden. This is Bella...A very sweet pup...

Major...

Thank goodness for these puppies, there were coyotes howling every night!When I first heard heard them I wasn't too worried, then they were about 20 ft. away! It was cool but scary. The dogs didn't stop barking at them. Apparently the coyotes roam up and down the street! Yikes!

Office area off of the bedroom...

Living Room...

Outside the house...

Full kitchen...

It was such a cozy house! It was so quiet, and off the beaten path. I had fun off roading in my piece of crap rental. I had to go over big rocks and through potholes to get there.

My first day in Patagonia consisted of a HUGE nap. I woke up later that night and had to bite to eat, read my book and went back to bed! What an awesome time! :) Can't remember the last time I've done that...